OpenFeint brings 14 more top mobile games to Android

If you take a step back for just a second and look into some of the more recent happenings in gaming on the Android platform, one name besides Sony the name OpenFeint will likely cross your mind and rightfully so. OpenFeint has seen some serious growth over the past five months and they're not going to be slowing down any time soon. As a matter of fact, they've just announced 14 new game titles that are now available in the Android Market. New OpenFeint titles out on Android in March include:

Can Knockdown: 2 Infinite Dreams

Doodle Bowling: GameResort

Grave Defense Silver Free: Art of Bytes

Guerrilla Bob: Angry Mob Games

Meganoid: Orange Pixel

Ninja Rush Deluxe: Feelingtouch Inc.

Pyxidis: Hyperbees Ltd.

Return Zero (BETA): We came from Mars

Snail Mail for Android: Sandlot Games

Speedx 3D free&full: Hyperbees Ltd.

Stellar Escape: Orange Agenda

Stupid Zombies: GameResort

World Series of Poker Hold'em Legend: Glu

Tank Hero: Clapfoot Games

With those 14 new titles, and more on the way OpenFeint is certainly helping build up the Android Market for mobile gaming. If you would like to learn more about today's announcement you can jump on past the break for the full press release.

HTC releases Desire S source code

And the latest kernel source to be released by HTC is ... the Desire S! That's right, all the ones and zeros, bits and bytes from the Desire S that you could ever hope for. Well, everything but HTC's proprietary code. But it's certainly better than nothing. So if you're a ROM developer of the custom variety, take a look and see what you can do. [HTC Developer Center]

MetroPCS lights up 14th LTE city: Tampa

MetroPCS this morning flipped the LTE switch on its 14th city, with the Tampa area getting high-speed data on the mid-market carrier. That means folks the Florida town can now fly through the Internet with the likes of the Samsung Indulge (see our hands-on), a 3.5-inch Android 2.2 device that comes preloaded with Ironman 2 on a 4GB microSD card.

The Indulge is available for $299 after a $100 mail-in rebate. The launch of LTE in Tampa brings it alongside the likes of Atlanta, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento and San Francisco. Full presser's after the break.

'Freight issues' delay Xperia Play/Arc on some UK networks

Bad news for any Brits hoping to get their hands on a shiny new Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc or Xperia Play this weekend. Reports on multiple sites suggest that "freight issues" have resulted in both phones being delayed past the original April 1 release date. Vodafone and Three are now expecting to ship the handsets next week, while T-Mobile is aiming for a mid-April release. O2 has already delayed its release of the Xperia Play due to software bugs, and lists both it and the Arc as due for release sometime in April.

Pre-orders made through the Carphone Warehouse, however, will not be affected by the delays -- Carphone has confirmed that it's still expecting to hit tomorrow's launch window. [Engadget via Recombu]

Google tightening the reins on Android

Google apparently has changed its approval process for devices to use its software (that'd be Android), cracking down on the way the software is changed and how third-party partnerships will be handled, according to the folks at Bloomberg. Now, companies that want access to the latest version of Android will need approval of the things they want to do to it. And that approval will come from none other than Andy Rubin.

Google says it is going to tighten and enforce "non-fragmentation clauses," that intend to limit things like customization of the interface, and how manufacturers can partner with other services like Facebook or Microsoft. Bloomberg tells us that things have already gotten heated, with complaints to the U.S. Justice Department being lodged. There's also mention that Google has tried to hold back the release of devices on Verizon because they make use of the Bing services. Hello, HTC Merge, maybe that's why you disappeared for a while.

While I'm all for keeping crappy software away from hot, new devices like the Evo 3D, I'm certain that this doesn't mean the end of manufacturer skins. And it shouldn't -- many enjoy the extras that come with manufacturer enhanced user interfaces, and a bit of curation by Google should make for an easier upgrade path. But I fear this is going to greatly affect the release cycle of the source code for the AOSP project, and not for the better. We'll just have to wait and see how this develops. [Bloomberg BusinessWeek] Thanks, everyone who sent this in!

Live in Dallas? Verizon wants you to win an HTC Thunderbolt and a private party with Mark Cuban

If you live in the Dallas and are a basketball fan who also happens to want an HTC Thunderbolt -- you're in luck. Verizon wants to give you of 'Bolt if you're willing to play their game -- and are able to win at it. In addition to a free HTC Thunderbolt you and 10 friends also get to attend a party with Mark Cuban.

The contest itself isn't as easy as it sounds though, you'll have to follow Mr. Cuban on Twitter in order to find out where game pieces of a puzzle are and collect them. Once collected, you have to attend the HTC Thunderbolt launch party at on April 6 at Victory Park Plaza, and the more pieces you have, the better chance you have at winning. [Twtvite]

CyanogenMod RC 4, Video calls on the Thunderbolt [from the forums]

You all know what tomorrow is right? April fools day. Yes, that glorious day where everyone gets to play pranks on each other and possibly even get away with some of them. We don't have any April fools jokes lined up for you all but it'd be kind of cool if Google themselves pulled one. You all got any pranks on tap? If so, let us know in the Android Central Lounge. If you're not down with pranks then hit up the forums for some straight up Android talk:

Here we go again as we embark on the long journey that is the MLB regular season. Due to the longevity of the schedule and variety of times that the games are played, it's often difficult to keep up with your favorite team(s) when you're on the go. That's where the mobile world comes in, especially when the phones and devices we use get faster and better every day.

I've compiled a few apps for all of the baseball fans out there that will help them keep up with news, scores, schedules, states and much more, for their team and around the MLB. A few of the following apps are very similar in function; they provide scores, schedules, news and so forth. You really need to find the app the works best for you and update the fastest for your device. Here we go:

HTC ThunderBolt Skin Case review

If you're looking for a simple, inexpensive case for your HTC ThunderBolt, the HTC Skin Case may be the way to go. It's a very basic rubber case and if you're used it on other phones, you'll be plenty familiar with it here.

It's a single piece of non-slip rubber that you fit the phone into. There are cutouts for the 3.5mm headphone jack, power button, camera, kickstand and microphone, so you don't lose any functionality there. It'll protect your phone from basic dings and scratches. And while there's no direct protection for the touchscreen, it will keep the screen from touching the surface when placed face-down.

Our only real ding on this case is its propensity for collecting dust and lint in a pocket, and that the case could be a little more snug. That said, it's easily removed, but doesn't feel like it could come off at any moment. And because it's rubber and you can remove it easily, you also can give it a light rinsing if need be.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer listed on Amazon as coming May 7

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is listed on Amazon Canada's site as coming May 7. Asus is trying to differentiate it's Eee Pad Transformer from other Honeycomb tablets by allowing the 10.1-inch touchscreen to be used as a stand-alone device or while plugged into a full-sized QWERTY keyboard.

The spec list looks good for this under the radar tablet as well:

10.1-inch 1280 x 800 touchscreen

Attachable full QWERTY keyboard

NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core 1 GHz processor

1GB RAM

1.2 MP front-facing camera

5 MP rear camera

1080p video playback

2 USB ports

SD card reader

16GB model for $399 Canadian Dollars (approx $410 USD) (Amazon)

32GB model for $499 Canadian Dollas (approx $514 USD) (Amazon)

If you've been on the fence about springing for a tablet but unsure, another strong competitor will enter the game come May 7 with very competitive pricing. [Amazon]

Sprint Samsung Galaxy Tab reduced to $199.99 come April 3

If you're either not really feeling the price, size or carrier for the Motorola Xoom the Samsung Galaxy Tab is still a viable option if you're looking to buy into an Android tablet. Sprint we can only assume, is hoping you feel the same way as new information shows they'll be dropping the price on their contracted Samsung Galaxy Tab devices.

Right now, it'll cost you $299.99 on a new two-year contract but if you can hold out until April 3 you'll be able to pick one up for $199.99. If no contract is more to your liking it looks as though the Suggested Retail Price is getting a drop as well, so you can grab one no-contract for $429.99. [Engadget]

Dropbox beta updates to 1.0.9.3

If you are a Dropbox for Android user, and enjoy checking out the latest and greatest in all Android applications, you will be happy to know that the application has been updated. They have announced version 1.0.9.3, which added additional language support, along with Honeycomb support, and a number of additional fixes that are to be found publicly in version 1.1. Some of these fixes include:

Lock Code now protects your Dropbox from prying eyes.

Better checking for file modifications before uploading

Displays error message when SD card is full

Removed permission to read phone state and identity, since it's no longer needed.

American Airlines kicks off Mobile Million Sweepstakes for Android users

American Airlines has announced its Mobile Million Sweepstakes for Android. The company is celebrating the launch of its Android app. And when American Airlines celebrates, it throws air miles at people -- well, kind of. One lucky winner will win 1 million American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

To enter, all you gotta do is download the app and fill out the contest sign-up form -- and that's it! Boom, you're entered to win.. And if you really want to increase your chances, email your friends an invite to the contest, too.

Additionally, American Airlines is giving away 30 Nook Colors, for every 30 days of the contest. The contest starts today and runs until April 28. For more information and fun little video visit this link: www.aa.com/androidpromo[PRNewswire]

SFR to carry the HTC Pyramid in France by the end of May

Well, I guess that answers our question. France appears to be getting the HTC Pyramid by the "end of May." The Pyramid makes an appearance on what looks like an ad for French carrier SFC. This 4.3-inch device, powered by a 1.2GHz processor has been popping up a lot lately. Where will it show up next? Hopefully on an ad for a U.S. carrier. [FrAndroid] Thanks, g123k!

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